Bureau of Global Public Affairs • U.S. Department of State • Washington, DC • 2017 to Present

Lead strategy and project development in public diplomacy virtual community building; coach policy bureaus and overseas posts on advanced digital stakeholder engagement; conceive, manage, and moderate global broadcast and livestream programs for high-priority foreign policy issues.

School of Continuing Studies  (SCS)• Georgetown University • Washington, DC • 2019 to 2021

At Georgetown’s SCS, I led an online strategic communications course for applied intelligence professionals, focusing on  effective communication to decision-makers in law enforcement, homeland security, and the private sector through written and presentation-based assignments. 

Loren Hurst & Associates, LLC • Washington, D.C. • 2011 to 2017

Led digital media consulting and training projects for U.S. federal government agencies, contractors, trade associations, and nonprofits.

Bureau of International Information Programs • U.S. Department of State • Washington, D.C. • 2007 to 2011

Created and managed the Department’s first podcasting facility for U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide.

U.S. Mission to the European Union • U.S. Department of State • Brussels, Belgium • 2005 to 2006

Liaised with U.S. embassy public affairs staff in European Union member states to inform and develop public affairs strategies on EU-related news, policy initiatives, and transatlantic cooperation.

European Business Council for Sustainable Energy (e5) • Brussels, Belgium • 2004 to 2005

Established Brussels public affairs office, represented association members’ interests to EU institutions, and created small business support initiatives in the renewable energy space.

Marketshare, Inc. • Chevy Chase, Maryland • 2000 to 2002

Executive Director of Romanian-American Chamber of Commerce, led association management for clients in the water and energy sectors, and consulted for fuel cell, pharmaceutical, and software start-ups.

Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) Cum Laude • Leuven, Belgium • 2003

European Union Politics and Comparative Policy

Bachelor of Arts (BA) • Fullerton, California • 1995

Foreign Languages (French) & International Politics

Innovation Management

• Certificate: AI x Design Thinking • IDEO U • 2025

• Certificate: Design for a Better World • Interaction Design Foundation • 2024

Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

• Certificate: AI for Business Specialization • Coursera/University of Pennsylvania • 2025

• Certificate: The Data Scientist's Toolbox • Coursera/Johns Hopkins University • 2016

Reputation Management, Public Affairs, and Business Administration

• Certificate: Reputation Management • Public Relations Society of America • 2017

• Coursework: Graduate-level courses in Policy Formation and Environment & Development • American University

• Coursework: Graduate-level courses in Accounting and Business Analytics • Florida International University

Sustainability and Natural Capital

• Certificate: Introduction to the Natural Capital Approach • Stanford Online • 2016   

Digital Media

• Certification: Social Media Marketing • Hootsuite • 2016

Global Innovation Institute (GINI) • Washington, DC • 2025 - Present

At the Global Innovation Institute, I serve as the co-lead for the government Innovation community where I manage member interaction fora, produce thought leadership media, and support organizational initiatives. 

Public Diplomacy Council of America (PDCA) • Washington, DC • 2021 - Present

At the Public Diplomacy Council of America, I serve as a contributing author on virtual programming and strategic communications approaches to climate change and other science-related topics. 

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) • Washington, DC • 2017

As the chair of PRSA's International Committee in the National Capital Chapter, I created initiatives to increase value for our members. Streamlining communications using cloud-based tools and creating initiatives to leverage volunteer skills were the Committee's main focuses.

Association for Talent Development (ATD) • Washington, DC • 2012 to 2014

I worked with the ATD Board and membership to produce a series of podcasts that extended reach of training programs and networking meetings. Our work resulted in better integration of podcasts into the association's core training and networking activities.

National Peace Corps Association (NCPA) • Washington, DC • 2012

NCPA and I produced a pair of podcasts to extend the social media and marketing reach of Africa Rural Connect, an online platform connecting African farmers with advice and services to build local businesses.

United States Peace Corps • Bucharest, Brasov, and Sfintu Gheorghe, Romania • 1996 to 1998

Becoming a Peace Corps volunteer was the first step of my career in international public relations. This experience was instrumental in helping  me build the foundations of my expertise in cross-cultural project development In addition to my core English teaching assignment, I created two municipal-level environmental outreach initiatives and led partnership programs with The World Bank and World Trade Center to create public affairs and internship programs for college students.